The truth of long-term WD-type fasting

[Jay Cohen]

Originally Posted by Heidi Anschultz

I don't know what to do.

Zen Buddhist would suggest Zazen.

[Chris Forbis]

Originally Posted by Heidi Anschultz

in college, grades are the most important thing.

I highly disagree with this idea. The social maturation of college is at least as important as the intellectual development. Further, intellectual development shouldn't be dependent upon grades. The most important thing about college is to enjoy the experience (in total). Second is to emphasize the enjoyment of the learning process. Good grades should be a byproduct of the learning process, not the primary goal.

[Greg Battaglia]

I think that's a great plan. I've considered a similar plan myself, actually. Just follow your heart. Don;'t do something just to impress your parents or other people. Live your passion.

[David Aguasca]

i couldn't agree with you more, heidi and greg.

when i first applied to college, i chose big names-Yale, Columbia, Cornell. not much later, i was at Cornell, studying engineering, because it was a field that paid well, and i figured my love of math would make it bearable. i soon found out i didn't like engineering, and i hated the academic pressure. i spent only three semesters there, and then withdrew.

after a hiatus from school, i've returned, this time to a small school in New Hampshire. i'm studying adventure education. average salary for an adventure educator? $17k-23k a year. does that matter to me? no. instead of sitting in an office all day, i'll be teaching on a mountain, or in a forest. my students will become climbers, backpackers, adventurers. that's all that matters to me now. i love it.

[Yael Grauer]

Originally Posted by Chris Forbis

I highly disagree with this idea. The social maturation of college is at least as important as the intellectual development.

And all this time I thought college was about drinking... or, as our college cheer went, "Sex, drugs and Socrates...we kick ass on GREs!"

[Yael Grauer]

David, get your WFR cert if you haven't already. I have friends that have gotten and not gotten jobs depending on whether they were certified.

Of course, I got my WMA WFR cert and never worked in outdoor ed at all, but it certainly has come in handy when checking for spinal injuries out in the middle of nowhere.

[Garrett Smith]

Heidi,
No one that I know of cares or asks about someone's grades in college once they are finished and have the degree.

It's possible that some employers may go against those applicants who actually put their GPA on their CV/resume, as it would possibly appear arrogant.

FYI, many of my medical school classmates with the highest GPAs also failed their medical boards the first time through. I think the stress of always having to perform to super-high standards finally came due after four years of straining.

[Greg Battaglia]

Dr. G, I agree. I personally have experienced this. I used to try SO hard in school. I was a straight A student. NEVER got a B. Then I realized that it's just not worth the stress. There's more to life than work. Ironically, I'm still pumping out mostly A's without all the stress.

[Mike ODonnell]

The grades and degree get you your first job.....from there people only care about your accomplishments, skills and experience.

[David Aguasca]

yael,

yeah, it's super important. WFR is actually part of the core curriculum for my major....lucky me : )

for me, grades are important to stay in school. when it comes to outdoor education, networking and past experience will get you your first job...and probably every job after that. that, and a good interview.